Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-13-2019 12:32 PM
    Hi Naeyc Family I need your help. 

    Here our lavatories are located outside of the classroom. Myself and another coworker have both eight preschoolers to a preschool lavatory which has only two toilets. Some children take longer than others to use lavatory which causes behavior conflicts with other children waiting. I've separated my own group of eight with the boys waiting in one area and the girls in another. I've also done songs and games to help cut down on behavioral conflicts. However, my ideas hasn't been working consistently and efficiently to reduce conflict in the lavatory. 

    Any ideas or suggestions to help with transitioning in the lavatory to reduce conflict and tears? 

    Thank you!!

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    Juliana Simons
    Happy Valley Child Care Centre
    Pembroke
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  • 2.  RE: Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-14-2019 08:10 AM
    I hand out lacing cards as each child finishes in the bathroom.  They keep most of the children occupied and they are learning too!   They've gotten used to "Sit & Sew" time.  It has been a game changer.

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    Susan Ricci
    Director/Lead Teacher
    Vale UMC Preschool
    Oakton VA
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  • 3.  RE: Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-15-2019 12:15 AM
    I love that idea!!! I will have to implement it next September!

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    Heather Finnegan
    Preschool Teacher
    Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
    Delavan WI
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  • 4.  RE: Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-15-2019 10:36 AM

    Susan:

    I love "Sit & Sew" time!  What a great idea.  I'll passing this one on to teachers.


    Susan Ricci wrote   I hand out lacing cards as each child finishes in the bathroom.  They keep most of the children occupied and they are learning too!   They've gotten used to "Sit & Sew" time.  It has been a game changer.



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    Aren Stone
    Child Development Specialist
    The Early Years Project
    Cambridge, MA
    she/her
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  • 5.  RE: Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-15-2019 10:40 AM
    Hi Juliana, 

    My classroom has a similar situation. The only difference is that I have only one toilet that is shared with another classroom. This makes wait times even longer. My state ratio allows us to have 10 preschoolers to only one teacher. When I am alone, I generally read a story to the children that are not going to the bathroom and have the others that are fully potty-trained go to the bathroom first as I read the story. I then take any child that is not potty-trained to the bathroom. The other children will then read a book quietly on our circletime rug. 

    Another way that I solve this issue is by having the children clean up the room of their toys. We transition for our second outside time generally after or about 4:45 -5:00 pm.  I then have each child take turns going to the bathroom as the others clean up. 

    I don't know if you could somehow split your groups so that less children are toileting at the same time using the previous tips. It may take extra trips to the bathroom, but may offer you a smoother toileting transition. 

    I hope this helps. 



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    Jennifer United States
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  • 6.  RE: Toileting transitions

    Posted 06-16-2019 06:37 AM
    I too like the "sit n sew" idea and will try that as well!!  

    Thank you for bringing up the issue and then for people's ideas!

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    Liane Rousseau
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